Breast cancer screening with a specialist

Developing breast cancer is one of the main concerns of many women today. Are you worried about this, for example, because of a hereditary disposition? Regular cancer check-ups such as breast cancer screening are a proven and recommended method of detecting changes at an early stage. This also applies to carcinoma of the breast or breast cancer, which if detected early on, can usually be treated effectively. The earlier this disease is detected, the greater the likelihood of successful treatment.

Further examinations of the breast bring clarity

As part of medical diagnostics, three procedures in particular can help to provide clarity: these are the mammography, the breast ultrasound and the MRI. These three procedures combined ensure optimum mammary diagnostics and form the elementary basis for a histological diagnosis that may show up.

Breast cancer screening with extensive diagnostics

Dr. Sibylle Kaßpohl in conversation with a patient

Breast self-exam: use this method to detect changes to the breast

In addition to breast cancer screening by gynaecologists, the regular breast self-exam is an important measure in the area of breast cancer prevention because this is something you can do yourself at any time. We teach you the correct technique during the screening process. Get in touch with us. If you examine your breasts regularly, you will notice changes, for example a lump in the breast, much more quickly because you know your body better than anyone else. When self-examining, the moment you feel a change inyour breast, arrange an appointment immediately. We will then check what you found using advanced diagnostics.

Dr. Sibylle Kaßpohl at work

We will be there by your side to investigate further because, on the one hand, a lump does not necessarily mean that we are dealing with malignant tumour. It may just be a benign change of theglandular tissue of the breast. On the other hand, if you self-examine your breasts regularly, you are likely to discover any pathological changes to your breast at an early stage. The following applies in each case: keep calm and have the matter clarified during further examinations. Get in touch with our practice.

Visiting the radiologist: mammography (X-ray) as a precautionary measure and when breast cancer is suspected

We may have to refer you to specialists in diagnostic radiology for a mammography and for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mammography is both an important screening examination in the area of breast cancer screening and an important diagnostic step when breast cancer is suspected. The mammography already allows very small tumours – from three millimetres in size – to become visible. Other examinations will be required here as part of the histological diagnostics, for example, a fine needle biopsy and a subsequent laboratory or microscopic examination of the removed tissue (histopathological diagnostics).

The breast ultrasound as a precautionary measure and as part of the special diagnostics

The high-resolution breast ultrasound is a procedure that is used to display the tissue density and architecture of benign and malignant changes to the breast tissue. However, this breast ultrasound examination is also a diagnostic tool that can shed light on inconclusive mammography findings. This procedure acts as a supplement to palpation. The breast ultrasound should be carried out annually as a precaution.

Early detection of breast cancer: overview of breast cancer screening

According to present knowledge, the following steps should be taken for optimum breast cancer screening:

Important symptoms and reasons for visiting a doctor include, for example, the discovery of a lump in the breast during self-examination and changes to the relevant area of skin (orange skin or redness). For example, this could include a hardening of the relevant breast area or a retraction of the nipple or skin, or a weeping nipple.

It therefore makes sense to visit the practice to save yourself any unnecessary worry and to get a proper diagnosis at the shortest possible notice. The diagnosis does not have to mean breast cancer. However, time is the most crucial factor when it comes to cancer. Make sure you visit your gynaecologistagain if in any doubt. Your chances of beating breast cancer usually improve if it can be detected very early on. We are happy to advise you in our gynaecological private practice in Frankfurt Sachsenhausen. Get in touch with us here.